Optimum balance, muzzle heavy or butt heavy?

[JimG]

Out of idle curiousity, what is the optimum balance for a shotgun used for hunting? Assuming you try to balance the firearm right in front of the trigger guard, is it better to be slightly muzzle heavy or should it be slightly butt heavy? Or for that matter how about 'neutral'? I've got several synthetic stocked shotguns that I'm determined to add some weight to. I figured while I was at it I place the weight for optimal balance. Hope this all makes sense!

[dukkillr]

My synthetic 870 is balanced like crap.  It's stock heavy and with even light dove loads the barrel jumps a great deal.  It's bad enough that I simply don't shoot it.  I suspect that most of the problem is the short barrel.  I think if it had a 28" it would be barrel heavy and that would get rid of the jump.  So based on my experience I'd rather have it front heavy.

I've also got a 30" full model 12.  It's somewhat front heavy with such a long barrel and it's no fun to carry around, but I shoot it well and I there is no issue with the jump.

On most single barrel guns I'd say 26-28 barrels balance the best.

[Maritime Storm]

Depends on what your  hunting. Waterfowl/Doves barrel heavy is prefered, weight further out helps promote a more consistent swing-through or sustained lead style of shooting where you have time to prepare for a a shot, and recoil reducing weight is a benefit. Upland Birds, Rabbits/Hare stock heavy is a better or balanced is prefered as you more likely to be snap-shooting. If you hunt a variety of both, than you're better off with a shotgun that has a prefect balance. Also of note, the more you walk when hunting, the lighter your shotgun should be. My old Marlin 55GDL with a 25.5" barrel length patterns modified, is perfectly balanced, however at 8.5lbs get heavy quick after the first couple of Kilometers of walking, but if it were a pound lighter it would be ideal for the type of Grouse & Varying Hare hunting I do with it.